Press release

Framework Agreement Reached Between
the FMSQ and the Government of Québec

Montreal, June 17, 2011 ‑ The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) and the Government of Québec have both approved the renewal of the Framework Agreement linking the two parties. The draft agreement was voted in by 100% of the FMSQ-affiliated medical association delegates during an extraordinary meeting of this decision-making body held on June 16th.

The new agreement respects the spirit and maintains the objectives that directed the conclusion of the 2007 agreement. With a term of five years, the agreement will stretch out to 2016-2017 and includes a parametric increase of some 6%, to which an additional budgetary envelope of $251 million is attached in order to implement targeted measures to improve the population's access to quality healthcare. Among these measures, let us mention the battle against cancer, case management associated with population aging, prevention and management of chronic disease, reducing waiting times in additional targeted areas, integrating support services for family physicians, case management for vulnerable patient groups and improving access via telemedicine technologies.

After the unanimous vote by delegates, the President of the FMSQ, Dr. Gaétan Barrette commented: "We are very happy with this agreement as it integrates the essence of the proposals we had started out with when we undertook this round of negotiations with the government. We hope to be able, with our general practitioner colleagues, to rapidly implement the measures that aim to weave together family physicians and medical specialists and thus build a better healthcare system. The overall approach and spirit in which it was set out by the Conseil du trésor President, Mrs. Michelle Courchesne, allowed us, after many hours of discussion, to reach an agreement that is beneficial to all parties, mainly the population of Québec."

The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec represents close to 9000 medical specialists certified in one of the 53 recognized medical specialties.